Chat With Tonto Dikeh

Tonto Dike is from Ekwere, Port Harcourt, Rivers state. I am from a family of seven, my father is still alive, my mum is late but I have a wonderful step mum. In general, I will sum it up to say that Tonto Dike is a young girl who strives hard to succeed and makes the best out of life.

Born on June 9… this year I will be 23 years, I am still in school, University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, specifically, studying petro-chemical engineering and in my final year.

Growing up

Growing up was wonderful because I had everything I wanted and wasn’t deprived of anything. My father was well to do so he did everything possible for me. I went to the best schools in my state, I graduated with good results from my primary and secondary school and I think I will graduate with the best result after my degree results are out.


I have had parental love, care, family ties while growing up. It’s been love all the way.

The only thing that I didn’t appreciate while growing up was the fact that I could not mix with my peer group, which is the reason why I can’t speak my dialect and that is a very shameful thing. Another was growing up without my mother. She died when I was three years old, so I practically didn’t know her, but it was a joy to know that I had someone who I could say replaced her.

Entrance into Nollywood

I got into the industry after I left the reality T.V show "The next movie star"2005 where I was first runner up, the year Kingsley Ogboso won, and from there, I started looking for contacts and fortunately for me, a lot of people saw my talent.

I got involved in the reality show first because I saw it as a way of getting close to the industry, a starting point. I had hoped that from it I would move into the industry and it happened.

Challenges

Sincerely, I don’t think I have had to go through any challenge. This is because I don’t see them as challenges; I am a very prayerful person. I believe so much in God and it seems like everything just falls at my feet. Anything I want just falls at my feet. I can’t say I have had to go through challenges since I got into the industry.

Big break

The only thing I can say in this regard is that once you are good, you are good. You don’t need to wait for the movie to be wow! Even if it is something that is not very glamorous, just play two or three scenes, making sure that your potentials show. That is what has worked for me, so I can’t really say this or that is the movie that was a break for me.

Right from my second movie I was already playing a lead role.

Perhaps I should say my first movie, but it came out last year so I will say my second movie. The movie was Holy Cross that I did with Nonso Diobi, Uncle Pete Edochie, Jim Iyke, producers; directors after watching it wanted to use me on their own films. Right from my second movie people started to look out for me.

Nollywood

I see the industry as a fruitful one, which can yield more fruits in the future. All we need is hard work, perseverance, prayer. The industry is like a newborn baby that has to be nurtured and well taken care of. I still think that we really need to work hard because we are way backward. Though we may be doing okay, I still think we can do better.

Relationship

I am in a relationship, which I am very proud of it. He is okay for me. I took what God gave me, and remember, I said God gives me anything that I desire. As for how he feels when I am on set with all the kissing and hugging, I’ll tell you something: When I say that I took what God gave me, I meant that He gave me a package in a man, all I want in life He gave to me in one person.

He gave me endurance, patience, love and one who understands. He really understands, so I don’t have a problem with my handling of roles. He might not be okay with the roles all the while, but he still prays for me and hopes for a better future for me because he knows I love my job.

Sex for roles

I have never come across that in the industry and as I said, God has favored me so much that I didn’t need to beg people nor sleep with anybody before I got into movies.

Music with Patience Ozorkwor

First of all, the music is owned by Amaco Investments; Charles, Patience and I were just called to mime it. I had fun being in the video and I didn’t know it was going to be this big as everybody is talking about it. I have no plans whatsoever to get into music.

You and Nonso Diobi

I love Nonso Diobi so much because he is a friend and brother. He is someone I can talk to when I have a problem. He is like someone who is there for you. Beside that, there is nothing else between us. We are just platonic friends.

First day on set

I was very scared. I was shy. I didn’t know what to think or expect until the lights came on, then I knew that this was serious business. But I had people like Uncle Pete Edochie, Nonso Diobi, Desmond Elliot, Nkiru Sylvanus, and Uncle Larry Coldsweat. They kept saying ‘you can do it’ and I did it.

What you can’t wear

I will not be caught in a long skirt because I hate it. I also can’t wear Iro and Buba, it’s fashion for the older women. I am still very young and I need to feel free in my body.

You can’t catch me being very religious in my dressing, I love to dress the way I love to dress.

As for what I can’t leave my house without, that would be a purse because I need to put things inside it.

Beauty routine

I wake up in the morning, use a facial scrub, then use a very good soap and cream - Makari specifically, and that’s all for the day till evening. I actually take a shower like two three times a day, which helps polish my skin. Aside that, when I have the time I go to the spa.

Sexy part of her

I give that to my lips. I love them and people have told me that they love them too.

Talking about what people don’t know about me, a lot of people don’t know that I am very nice, a wonderful and serious minded person.

Coping with school and acting

I am in my final year now, and this year, I have decided that I must spend almost all of it in school doing school work. Though I will still be on set, I hope to be in school more. I will work it out, I don’t have a plan yet, but I will be able to be in school more often than I used to.

Blunt nature

Indeed, I am very blunt. A lot of people say that I am really dogged and that is what I love about myself. I say it as it is. Sometimes when you refrain from saying things the way it is, you hurt a lot of people and sometimes when you tell it as it is, people think you are hurting them but that is not the case as you are only trying to save a lot of people the stress. So, yes, I am a very blunt and down to earth person.

Philosophy of life

I have a lot of them but I will share one, if you have your eyes on something, on a particular level in life when you get to that level, always know that there are so many other levels left to climb. Try to be on top, even when you are on top, try to be on top the top.


Artiste admired

Back home, I only admire two females - Aunty Joke Sylvia and Rita Dominic. Why Rita? It’s because when I want to recount how my interest in the movies started, her name will be mentioned as she inspired me a lot. And for Aunty Joke, she is a wonderful person, she is joy to me, I watch her and I feel alive and want to do more than she has done.

Internationally, I love Al Paccino and Julia Roberts, they are inspiration to me.

In five years

I really have faith and hope that I will be better than I am now. I am not striving to end in Nollywood, I intend to get into Hollywood, I don’t know how I will do that but I know that God will make a way for me.

A word to fans

I say thank to all of you. I really appreciate your love shown in your buying my movies, watching them and appreciating me. I wake up each day knowing that without you in my life, there will be no full Tonto. I love you all


Filmography

Missing Rib, Last Mission, Secret Mission, Rush Hour, Final Hour, Fatal Mistake, Family Disgrace, Plain Truth, Miss Maradonna, Divine Grace, Tea or Coffee, 7 Graves, Crisis In Paradise, Insecurity, Mortal Desire, etc.